How did electric railways contribute to the large-scale use of electric motors?

While electric motors were developed in the early 19th century, their practical, large-scale employment was initially hindered by a lack of clear commercial markets. Electric railways and tramways provided the essential demand that made the large-scale generation of electricity commercially feasible.12

Because electric lighting was primarily used only during hours of darkness, it could not by itself sustain an economical market for electricity. The adoption of electric traction for urban tramways and subway systems, such as the London Underground, created a consistent need for power that coincided with the widespread construction of generating equipment in the late 1880s and 1890s.21

This transition to electric traction proved to be a vital catalyst for the broader adoption of electric motor technology. By demonstrating the efficiency and reliability of electric power for mass transit, these early railway projects helped establish the infrastructure and industrial confidence necessary for the widespread electrification seen throughout the 20th century.12